Ireland welcome back Baloucoune as Farrell names experienced side for All Blacks showdown

Farrell has made nine changes to the side that defeated Japan 36-20 last weekend, restoring many of the players who were rested following the opening win over Australia.

The Ulster winger is one of the returnees after recovering from the hamstring injury that forced him to miss victories over Australia and Japan. The 28-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough Six Nations campaign earlier this year, earning the Rising Player award after helping Ireland secure the Triple Crown, and now comes straight back into the starting XV for the meeting in Auckland.

Captain Dan Sheehan returns at hooker, while Tadhg Furlong is back at tight-head prop and Sam Prendergast resumes his role at fly-half. Tom O’Toole, Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Stuart McCloskey and Jimmy O’Brien all keep their places after impressing against Japan.

Ireland head into the contest chasing a third straight win on their southern hemisphere tour after victories over the Wallabies and Brave Blossoms. Standing in their way is an All Blacks side that has not lost at Eden Park since 1994, a remarkable unbeaten run spanning 52 Test matches.

Farrell turns to experience

After giving four players their Test debuts against Japan, Farrell has opted for experience this weekend, with the starting side boasting a combined 711 international caps.

Hugo Keenan returns at full-back after an impressive display against Australia, while O’Brien switches to the left wing to accommodate Baloucoune on the opposite flank.

Jamie Osborne and Jacob Stockdale, who both featured on the left wing during the opening two matches of the campaign, miss out on the matchday squad.

In midfield, Garry Ringrose comes back alongside Stuart McCloskey, with Robbie Henshaw dropping out. Jamison Gibson-Park reunites with Prendergast in the half-backs.

The front row sees O’Toole continue his run of starts, making his fifth successive Test appearance dating back to the Six Nations. He is joined by Sheehan and three-time British and Irish Lion Furlong.

Joe McCarthy returns to partner James Ryan in the second row, allowing Beirne to move into the back row at blind-side flanker. Josh van der Flier starts at openside, with Conan completing the loose forward trio at number eight.

Thirteen of the players who started Ireland’s victory over Australia are back in the XV, with Baloucoune and Beirne replacing Osborne and Cian Prendergast.

Jeremy Loughman is fit again after recovering from the head injury that ruled him out against Japan and provides front-row cover on the bench alongside Ronan Kelleher and Thomas Clarkson.

Nick Timoney and Sean Jansen, who caught the eye on his debut last weekend, complete the forward replacements, while Craig Casey, Ciaran Frawley and Bundee Aki offer plenty of experience among the backs.

Ireland face familiar challenge

Ireland travel to Auckland on a six-match winning streak but know the size of the challenge awaiting them.

The Irish have lost each of their last three meetings with New Zealand, including the unforgettable Rugby World Cup quarter-final in 2023 and more recent encounters in Dublin and Chicago.

Their previous visit to Eden Park ended in a 42-19 defeat in 2022, although Farrell’s side responded brilliantly by winning the following Tests in Dunedin and Wellington to claim a historic first-ever series victory on New Zealand soil.

All Blacks make four changes

New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie has made four changes to the side that comfortably defeated Italy 47-17 last time out.

Tupou Vaa’i moves from the second row to blind-side flanker, while Josh Moorby earns his first Test start on the wing after making an impact from the bench against Italy.

Quinn Tupaea returns to partner Jordie Barrett in midfield, while prolific finisher Will Jordan starts on the right wing after becoming the All Blacks’ record try scorer with a hat-trick against Italy.

There is no place in the squad for experienced fly-half Beauden Barrett, with Ruben Love keeping the number 10 shirt for the meeting with Ireland.

Teams

New Zealand: Damian McKenzie; Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Josh Moorby; Ruben Love, Cam Roigard; Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Josh Lord, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i, Luke Jacobson, Ardie Savea (captain).

Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi Numia, Fletcher Newell, Dalton Segner, Wallace Lakai, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke.

Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Robert Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Jimmy O’Brien; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Tom O’Toole, Dan Sheehan (captain), Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, Thomas Clarkson, Nick Timoney, Sean Jansen, Craig Casey, Ciaran Frawley, Bundee Aki.